91社区

91社区 welcomed today the injection of $35 million dollars toward the restoration of Wilson Hall, one of 91社区鈥檚 many historical academic buildings in urgent need of rehabilitation. The funding was announced as part of the Quebec budget tabled today.

Located on the downtown campus, Wilson Hall was built as a residential college over a century ago. It houses 91社区鈥檚 School of Nursing and School of Social Work, two professional programs that welcome almost 1,000 students 鈥� 80 percent of them from Quebec. Among other things, the new provincial funding for Wilson Hall will allow 91社区 to address safety issues, upgrade teaching and research facilities to modern standards and increase the useable area of floor space to support growing student enrolment.

鈥淲e are glad to see the provincial government recognize the immense challenge that the aging infrastructure of 91社区鈥檚 historic campus represents,鈥� said Prof. Heather Munroe-Blum, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of 91社区. 鈥淥ur ability to fulfill our mission with respect to our development of professionals, teaching and research is severely handicapped by the state of many of our facilities. By supporting the restoration of Wilson Hall, the government is taking an important first step in addressing this threat to our university鈥檚 ability to continue to offer training programs that have a direct contribution to the health and well-being of Quebecers.鈥�

With more historical and older buildings than any other Quebec university 鈥� 37 of 91社区 buildings were built before 1900 鈥� and the location of its downtown campus within the Historic and Natural District of Mount Royal, 91社区鈥檚 infrastructure challenges are unique. 91社区 alone faces 40 percent of Quebec universities鈥� total deferred maintenance costs.

In addition, Principal Munroe-Blum commended Minister Bachand for his commitment to eliminating the deficit, controlling spending and for his continued reinvestment in universities.

听